Rhubarb is a vegetable that is difficult to grow in most places and it is mostly grown in the US, China, and Canada. Although rhubarb has been used for various medicinal purposes, it’s most commonly recognized for its tart flavor. The rhubarb plant is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows about 3-4 feet tall. It typically blooms from July to September.
If you’ve picked some from the grocery stores or harvested them from your own garden, you may wonder how long rhubarb will last.
How Long Does Rhubarb Last?
Rhubarb is a short-lived vegetable that needs to be stored properly for them to stay fresh.
The length of time that rhubarb lasts at room temperature depends on how you store it. You should place your rhubarb in a plastic bag or wrapped in paper towels. Rhubarb can last for up to three days at room temperature.
Rhubarb can last up to five days in the fridge when properly stored.
If rhubarb is stored in the freezer, it has a shelf life of about 9 to 12 months.
Does Rhubarb Go Bad?
Rhubarb does go bad. The reason why the root vegetable goes bad is usually due to improper storage.
When rhubarb is exposed to a warm temperature for a long time, it will go bad quickly.
To prevent the vegetable from going bad quickly, they should be stored in a cool and dry place.
To extend their shelf life, rhubarb can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
How To Tell When Rhubarb Is Bad
Rhubarb is a vegetable where the leaves grow up to the stem. It can be used in cooking and it also has health benefits. But there are some bad signs to look for that indicate it is spoiled or too old.
Bad signs of rhubarb include:
- White tinges on foliage
- Stem rot or reddish-brown spots at the stem end of leaves
- Moldy patches on leaves and stems with lots of black spots throughout the plant
If you notice any of the signs above, it’s best to throw away them. Eating bad rhubarb is not only bad tasting but could make you sick.
How To Store Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a great addition to your fruit bowl. It’s a little tart and crunchy, with a nice sweet finish. But it can get old quickly, especially if you don’t know how to store it properly.
You have three options when it comes to storing rhubarb. You can store the vegetable at room temperature, refrigerator, or in a freezer.
At room temperature, keep the rhubarb in a paper brown bag and store them away from direct sunlight and heat. The heat can cause the vegetable to go bad quickly. The best place for storing rhubarb is in the pantry or cupboard.
To keep rhubarb fresh longer, keep them in the fridge. Place the vegetable into a plastic bag or container.
The last storage option you have is to store rhubarb in the freezer. Cut the vegetables into small pieces and place them into an airtight container or freezer bag.
How To Keep Rhubarb Fresh Longer
To keep rhubarb fresh longer, you can store it in a bowl of water with a sprig of mint. The mint leaves have the ability to repel insects, which will keep the fruit from rotting faster.
The first step to keeping rhubarb fresher is to make sure you wash your produce before storing them so that you remove any bacteria that could be lurking on the surface. It’s also important not to store them at room temperature because this can cause bacteria or fungi to grow.
Related Questions
What happens if you eat old rhubarb?
The leaves of the rhubarb plant contain toxins known as oxalic acid and soluble oxalates. As the rhubarb gets old, the higher the amount of toxins that the plant will have.
Consuming it can cause stomach aches, nausea, vomiting, and even death can occur.
For that reason, any rhubarb that are old or damaged should be discarded.